Trying to pick the top 5 fights to watch for April was no easy task. With four stellar UFC cards and multiple other cards of note around the globe, it is easily one of the most stacked months of mixed martial arts action you will ever see.
With that being said, let’s get right into the action:
Pat Curran vs. Shamhulat Shamhalaev
April 4
Bellator 95
With the departure of marquee fighters Eddie Alvarez and Hector Lombard, the Bellator promotion has been in a transition period of sorts. With the company’s introduction on Spike TV in early 2013, new stars have been made and few have shined brighter than Pat Curran and Shamhalat Shamhalaev.
Curran took part in the promotion’s first ever fight on Bellator. It was a tactical move by the company, knowing that Curran as the featherweight championship always put on a good show. His bout with Patricio Freire proved to be a close and exciting contest, with Curran walking away with a split decision. The champion is hungry to prove he’s still the top fighter in arguably Bellator’s most talent-rich division.
Shamhalaev was one of the biggest stars of season seven before bringing his talents to Spike TV. Knockouts of Cody Bollinger, Mike Richman, and Rad Martinez have earned the Russian striker this opportunity and he’s sure to make the most of it.
Gegard Mousasi vs. Alexander Gustafsson
April 6
UFC on Fuel TV 9
If Jon Jones is the king of the light-heavyweight division, than perhaps Alexander Gustafsson is the prince. The young fighter is considered the heir to the throne when and if Jones makes the move to heavyweight, and he’s expected my most analysts to make that abundantly clear against Gegard Mousasi.
Unfortunately for him, Mousasi isn’t coming to lose. The Dutch fighter is being overlooked in many people’s minds and will be looking to prove he still belongs at the top of the division. He knows what it’s like to be the young fighter with a lot of hype who is destroying veterans and will try and use that experience against Gustafsson.
Expect fireworks as these two strikers look to exchange in Sweden.
Shinya Aoki vs. Kotetsu Boku
April 5
ONE FC8: Kings and Champions
It’s always a perplexing situation when the champion comes into a fight as the heavy underdog, but that’s exactly the situation at ONE FC 8. Shinya Aoki, a perennial top 10 lightweight in the world, will challenge Kotetsu Boku for the ONE FC Lightweight Championship.
Boku is a well-rounded fighter and is 6-1 in his last seven. He’s no stranger to the fight scene, but has never fought on a stage of this magnitude before. Aoki has been in the spotlight before, and may use that experience to catch Boku off guard.
The bout serves as one of the most interesting that can be made outside of the UFC and will hopefully live up to the hype.
Miesha Tate vs. Cat Zingano
April 13
The Ultimate Fight 17 Finale
If for no other reason, Miesha Tate against Cat Zingano is interesting for the simple fact that the winner will serve as the first female coach in Ultimate Fighter history, across from Ronda Rousey.
And if that isn’t enough to get you intrigued, let’s take into consideration the fact that it’s a fantastic fight between two of the top female fighters in the sport.
Cat Zingano has waited patiently for her opportunity to shine and it’s finally here. The undefeated knockout artist has quietly racked up seven straight wins with six finishes and will look to do the same against Tate.
Unfortunately for her, Tate is hungry for the Rousey rematch which the winner is sure to get. She showed a lot of heart in her last performance against Julie Kedzie and will do everything in her power to defeat the less-experienced Zingano.
Gilbert Melendez vs. Benson Henderson
April 20
UFC on FOX 7
Speaking of people who have patiently waited for their opportunity, few have been more deserving of an opportunity in the UFC than Gilbert Melendez. The long-time Strikeforce veteran has been defeating everyone in his way while waiting for the UFC to call.
Now Melendez will make his promotional debut on FOX in what is unquestionably the biggest fight of his career.
Benson Henderson, of course, is no pushover and will not go away without a fight. The dynamic fighter will look to use his mix of wrestling and striking to punish Melendez in what could be a fight of the year candidate.
